It can be said that this excerpt is an approach to the "forbidden door". it seems that the reader gets in the mood by reading this description.
The paragraph is full of vivid ideas which makes it simple to picture what is happening and how this person is feeling when listening to that tapping,
Answer: E) Death is a dignitary who when he comes announced is to be received with formal manifestations of respect, even by those most familiar with him.
Personification refers to the practice of giving human qualities and traits to inanimate objects or phenomena. It is a very common literary device. In this example, "death" is given human qualities, such as being a dignitary who receives manifestations of respect.
Desperation is a complex mood. i feel like b would be the answer, because she is desperate to get away.